Expert Interview Series: Giorgia Guazzarotti of Beautiful with Brains About Beauty Blogging and Being a Web Influencer

By Nelson Esseveld

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Giorgia Guazzarotti is the founder and editor of Beautiful with Brains, a beauty blog that helps women make sense of ingredient lists and marketing claims and achieve the beautiful and glowy skin of their dreams. We recently chatted with Giorgia about her beauty blogging philosophy and learned what she likes and dislikes about the products and brands who approach her for partnerships.

Tell us a bit about yourself. Why did you decide to start a beauty blog?

I’ve always been interested in makeup and skincare, but I didn’t have anyone to share my passion with. So when beauty blogs became a thing, I eagerly joined the community. Finally, I was able to meet other people who were as obsessed as me about lipsticks and didn’t think that using sunscreen every day was weird.

But I soon discovered the internet was rife with misinformation. So many common ingredients in cosmetics were said to give you cancer or worse. So, I decided to do my own research to know what I was really putting on my face. The next natural step was starting my own blog, Beautiful with Brains – a place where I could share my findings and my love for all things beauty.

How do you try to distinguish yourself from the hundreds of other beauty and skin care bloggers on the web?

I take a scientific approach to skincare, but try to make it as fun as possible. I like to start every post with a fun story before digging into the science of skincare and what really makes a product work (or not). I also don’t mince my words. If I don’t like something, I’ll let you know.

How would you describe the typical reader of your blog?

She’s a smart, 30-something woman who is determined to age gracefully and look her absolute best at any age. She’s always on the lookout for new skincare products and treatments to fight off premature aging, but she won’t shell out the money for them unless science confirms they work. If it doesn’t, she’ll leave it on the shelf.

What are some of the most important messages that you try to get across to your readers?

Don’t believe everything you read. Just because you’ve read somewhere that an ingredient causes cancer or suffocates your skin, it doesn’t mean it’s true. Always look at the sources and do your own research.

Wear sunscreen every single day, come rain or come shine. UV rays are responsible for 90% of premature aging! What’s worse, they can get through clouds and be reflected on snow. Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there! So, always, always, always wear your sunscreen. You’re sabotaging the rest of your skincare routine if you don’t.

Is there a new beauty product that you’re especially excited about right now? Is there one that has disappointed you or that doesn’t live up to its hype?

At the moment, I’m obsessed with Niod Low Viscosity Cleansing Ester. Rather than sulfates, it uses sugar and avocado esters to cleanse skin, so it’s very gentle. It takes everything off and leaves my skin so soft afterward!

On the other hand, I’m not impressed by Creme De La Mer. It’s just a glorified version of Nivea Cream.

What types of PR inquiries do you get regarding your blog?

I get asked to feature a lot of beauty products: skincare, haircare, makeup, etc. Occasionally, I’m also asked to host the odd giveaway. But I always ask to try the product first. I wouldn’t want to give away something I wouldn’t personally use and recommend.

For brands or bloggers who want to partner with you and your blog, what is the biggest irritation or obstruction that can sour a working relationship quickly?

It’s very annoying when a brand doesn’t take the time to do its research. I often get pitched for products or treatments that I clearly don’t cover on my blog. I also don’t like when they start making demands after I’ve agreed to feature the product. If you have any requirements, make them clear in the original email so I can decide straight away if I’m interested in this opportunity or not.

How do you hope to grow your blog in the future? What types of partnerships and relationships are you looking to establish?

I’ve just started an interview series where I bring in my favorite skincare experts, including dermatologists and cosmetic chemists, to share their knowledge about all things skincare. I’m also working on my first book, which is all about anti-aging and keeping wrinkles off your face for as long as possible. In the future, I’d also like to do videos and maybe a podcast. Stay tuned!

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